French horn



Oct. 1l, 1949, c. F. HUBLEY 2,484,408

FRENCH HORN Filed sept. 15, 1945 2 sh'eetssheet 1 Inventor By @emma www# Oct. l1, 1949. C, F, HUBLY" 2,484,408

FRN'GH Hom! Filed spt. 13, 1.945 2 shears-shuts' Inventor By QMaa/zm mm Patented ct. 131, 194g UNITED PATENT OFFICE 2,484,408 Fersen HQIRN :Claude Hubley, Utica, N. Y. App1ieanens-eprember 13, 1e 45,ser,ie1 ne. 515,127

This invention relates to certain `new K4anifuseful improvements susceptible of satisfactory and practicable 4embodiment -in French horns.

It is ra vmatter V of common knowledge Athat Frenhhorns utilize three or more conventional valves, these being incorporatedin the air column or tubing and lying vvithin the perimeter of lthe usual main coil or convolution. Some ylrerioh horns use the pistgn or plunger type valvesand others the lso-,called `now customarily employed rotary valve. ,These rotaryA valves are provided withusual levers, one fashioned for depression or operatio'nby thethuinb of the left hand and the others by the fingers of the same hand.

One of the main 4difficulties in playing the French horn is the productionrand controlling of the high tonesf Due to the fact that tones in the upper register occur at closely spaced intervals, even the skilled performer has di'liculty producing the exactvhigh tone wanted, thatis, with a desired degree of perfection and precision.

Generally when trying to produce a predet'erfmined lqightone, theneaest tone higherorglovver than the Wantedoneis loften lilelyto sound, this accidentally, of lcourse;` zAlso, the player may start the desiredhigh itone and slide intothe nearest higher tone, i.thereby producing a very disagreeablesouridl Instrument manufacturers have attempted to remedy the condition refierredtoby producinga so-called double nFrench hornf Itis'pitched Iin F, whichiis the regular'pitchfor most French horns, andby pressingathumb valve, the vsound Waves go through a second set of :valves and shorter tubing, which raises the pitch .two and one-half tonestp B-at. Manifestly, thedouble here 11S femensive eedeifwli 11.0 makelandjonl'y partly solvestheproblem. It actually rfai's'e's' the dependable range of tones up to G abovevthestai, but the tones 'from G up to high C are stillivery uncertain and notv dependableandr the horn costs about twice asv much as the regular single horn.

-My new inventionraises the dependablelplay ing` rangevof tones uptoh'igh C and costsronly slightly more to manufacture than a. single ,f horn; It accomplishes stability of .high tones''byhiaving a shorter lengthoftubing than any Frencl'iflorn heretofore; that is,A the length of tubing iront mpgtlipiee 1 0 eed df hat hypes-Sigg all Lvelre crooks or slides.

IThis Shorter length Qf tubing resemble Lhier: pitch of thehorntwo. tones higher thanithat used heretofore, thereby raisingfthe pitch of triggepend'able hightones twoltonesor up'to'highC. Byiessere.-felaleioee @regenerate registerofthe horn are raised above high C Where tlieyno `longer"can"do any' har'm. `We 'c'ai'fot eliminate these falseitcjne's, `but'"'this invention de'swraisethejni olitof and above the"usabl`e"high nete fange.' Or; te statethe situatien'etnerwise, the adoption and use o f an auxiliary v'al'velpl'us the fse f standard' Valve I' 'as an Lopen oir'ciiit valve instead 'f thecustoniaryusage o fthis" valve as a closed 'circuit va'lyegvvhichiismy invention', addebito the three regniar valves :makes "itpcs: sible to practically isolate the rilno1ejsiralole harmonies above thenorinalhigh register and force them up and above"therangerofhgh notes" used by the professional player." I In accordance 'with the principlesof .the invention hereunder advisement, the existing'socalled Verve ne.' i jle changed so met it remains open until the Vthuinll' lever is pressed. Ordinarilyj' the No. l valve 'remains normally closeiinY the conventional Erenchrhorn. By adding a fifth valve in theregular aircolumn'orjtubing and connecting "same" fr simultaneous yoperation with the regular ,valve No, I, the latterfrernaining open normally, ythe pitch of theinstrumen'b Arepressed tyvo tones,y r`by depressing the thumb lever, vthis makingitpossible toaehieve theairn's and results above'setfrth. Usuallyhigh tones on a French horn are 'obtained only with diliculty, and even then with' a lack of suretygAb'ut' with this invention the addition of an' extra valve ina predetermined' part offtheair column or' maincrcuit, the basic pitch of the instrument is raised"sufficientlythatr "More specifically.; novelty is predicated upon the adoptin and use of "a standard' 'so-called ro'- tary Frenohhornfvalve, this bemg embodied in the relatively/ shortUeshaped air circuit of the third'valve. This extra' or' fifth valve lthus provided isv attachedt valve No. I by a connecting link so thatthetwovalves operate simultaneous- 1y: "miie, andprieflnrtheneveny neste de' with leaving the No.'"l v alvefopen instead of closed as inthe normal horn setup, and incorporatin'gin themcrook or circuit 0f,tlhle third valve the entra erlnfthyaive;

' ,Other featuresand advantages ofthe. invention will vbeco'rrie l more readily apparentfrom' the following descrilton Aandfthe acycornpanying'ellus'. trative drawings.

' In the drawings, whereiniike numerals are emp loyed to designate like parts throughout .the Views:

Figure 1 is a sideielevationalview of a conventieriel French hern'wlil1-reta-ry` valves. Showing 3 the additional fth or auxiliary valve and the position it takes and the manner in which it is linked to the valve-operating arm of the first valve, said view also showing the air travel with the lever of the rst valve in its normal position.

Figure 2 is a side elevational view with the parts enlarged and showing only the first valve with its thumb lever and the extra or auxiliary valve and the manner in which the two are linked together.

Figure 3 is a View in elevation, observing the assemblage of Figure 2 in a direction from right to left.

Figure 4 is also a view with the standard rst valve and auxiliary improvement valve grouped together, the link being removed.

Figure 5 is a detail section taken approximately on the plane of the line 5 5 of Figure 2.

Figure 6 is a fragmentary sectional view of the improved or auxiliary valve showing the same in one position, which may be said to be its vnormal open position.

Figure 7 is a similar view of the same arrangement showing said auxiliary valve turned and in closed position.

Figure 8 is a fragmentary view which shows the path cf the tone wave from the mouthpiece (not shown) thru valves when valve No. l is closed and thus brought into play for producing its shortest route of travel.

Figure 9 is a view based on Figure 8, but show ing the thumb lever of the rst valve and the finger lever of the third valve both depressed and illustrating the path of the tone waves under these conditions.

Figure l is still another view also of a diagrammatic character carrying the procedure of Figure 9 a step further, this showing the thumb lever of valve No. l not depressed but normal, the third finger lever depressed, and the course of travel the tone waves take under these valveclosing operations.

Referring now to the drawings and different views by distinguishing reference numerals, and starting with the numeral i, it will be seen that this denotes the first valve, that is, so-called valve No. l which controls the pitch of the horn. For the high tones above G at the top of the staff, this valve I is rotated by depressing thumb lever To play the tones from the above G down to the lowest tone, valve I should be in the non-rotated or stationary position with the thumb piece or lever not depressed. Valve 2, when rotated, lowers the pitch of the horn exactly one whole tone and 2 is used only when valve I is not rotated. Valve 3, when rotated, lowers the pitch of the horn one-half tone. Valve 4, when rotated, lowers the pitch of the horn one and one-half tones and is used only when valve I is not rotated. The sole function of valve is to shorten the length of tubing of of valve 3 automatically when using valve I for the high notes. If valve 5 were omitted, the tubing connected to valve 3 would be too long to lower the pitch exactly one-half tone when valve I is rotated. Valves 2, 3 and 4 function exactly the same as the first three valves on anl7 modern French horn. The player uses them as he is accustomed to doing on the conventional horn. When valve I is rotated for the high tones from G to high C, the player depresses a diierent combination of finger levers than used on the regular French horn. This invention greatly simplies the nger lever combinations to be depressed for the high notes. Every high note is ingenious in this line of endeavor, lt is be-4 4 above G above the staff can be played either with lever 'I depressed alone, or, with levers I and 9 combined and depressed in unison.

The horn shown in Figure 1 comprises a bell il connected through tubing I2 to a mouthpiece i3. Three rotary valves 2, 3 and 4 are placed in the tubing for controlling connections to valve slides I4, I5 and I6 to vary the pitch of the instrument. These three valves are rotated by depressing the three linger levers 8, 9 and I0. The thumb valve I controls connections to valve slide I1. Valve I is so connected in the circuit that in the normal open position, without depressing thumb lever 'l, the tone goes through branches or tubing I8 and valve slide I'I.

If thumb lever 1 is depressed, valve I is closed, thereby removing tubing I8 and valve slide I1 from the circuit. This raises the pitch of the horn by shortening the total length of tubing. Depressing thumb lever 1 also rotates valve 5 because of the connecting link 6.

Valves 2, 3` and 4 operate in the usual manner. 'if finger levers 8 or 9 or I0 are depressed, the valve rotates, allowing the tone to go through the lateral tubing and the valve slide connected to that particular valve.

Explanation of the operation of valve 5: When nger lever 9 is depressed and finger lever I is the normal undepressed position, the tone goes through valve tubing I5, through valve 5 and through valve slide I9 (Figure 6). If thumb lever and finger lever 9 are both depressed, valve E closes (Figure 7) and cuts valve slide I9 out of the circuit.

Using any French horn, either this type or the regular French horn, depressing fingervalve 9 only, will lower the pitch of the instrument onehalf tone, but with my invention, when nger lever l is depressed, raising the pitch of the horn, the total length of the tubing connected to valve 3 (that is, tubing I5 and valve slide I9) will be too long to lower the pitch exactly onehalf tone. Valve 5 compensates for this by removing valve slide I9 from the circuit.

Therefore, what is stressed is: a French horn pitched in high D and a lower` pitch of B at or F or both available to the player through the use of two open circuit valves connected together by a link. One open circuit valve shifts the pitch from F or B at to high D. The other open circuit valve compensates the one-half tone valve so it is in tune on both pitches. Three other valves, used in the conventional manner; complete the instrument.

Although in Figures 2 to 5 I have shown certain of the details of the conventional so-called rotary valve, I do not deem it necessary to illustrate these details with any special particularity. Each valve embodies a circular casing 2U provided with the usual stops 2I and rocker arm 22 for the valve rotor 23 on the interior. I also show the usual trip cord 24, but, as stated, I do not feel that I have invented a valve, but rather the incorporation of an auxiliary or extra valve, that is, valve 5 of the valving system.

Novelty is thought to reside in the addition of a simple extra or so-called fth valve, the same being installed in the half-tone crook embodying normally closed valve N o. 3, said extra valve being linked or otherwise mechanically connected with the No. I valve, which latter valve is held normally open by complemental spring means, the same spring means acting upon the link to maintain the extra valve also open. Accordingly, therefore, it

lieved. to unite the No. I valve 'and'fth "extraror fifth valve so that they are open at oneand'fthe same time, which is the normal condition under the action of the spring-closing meansof the No. I valve; and are closed at one and the same time, which is the condition which lexistsewhen the thumb lever of the No. I valve is' depressed-t0 rotate said valve to closed position'.

Additional novelty has to do witha'^^valve=arrangement of the kind herein shownfand'des'cribed wherein, after valves I and 3' areclosed and the extra valve is also closed, the No. 3 valve inthe.

corresponding or third crook may be opened to assist in playing the high notes from G to high C in tune, especially through the aid of the extra valve in said third crook which then comes into play to effectively achieve the wanted ends.

It is thought that persons skilled in the art to which the invention relates will be able to obtain a clear understanding of the invention after'considering the description in connection with the drawings. Therefore, a more lengthy description is regarded as unnecessary.

Minor changes in the shape, size and arrangement of details coming within the field of invention claimed may be resorted to in actual practice, if desired.

I claim:

1. In a French horn of the class described, a length of tubing of conventional shape and yproportions having a mouth-piece pipe at the air intake end, a bell at the tone wave outlet end, the usual coil intermediate said ends, and a group of four individual but complemental slide-equipped crooks for selectively shunting and controlling the passage of air through said tubing, said crooks being mechanically and communicatively attached to the tubing by way of four rotary valves, valve number I normally open and provided with an actuating thumb lever, valves number 2, 3 and 4 all normally closed and provided With customary controlling nger levers, and an effective length regulating and pitch compensating auxiliary valve incorporated in the crook of the valve number 3, said auxiliary valve being normally open, and means connecting the number I and auxiliary Valves for operating same in unison.

2. In a French horn of fthe class described, a length of tubing of conventional shape and proportions having a mouth-piece pipe at the air intake end, a bell at the tone wave outlet end, the usual coil intermediate said ends, and a, group of four individual but complemental slide-equipped crooks for selectively shunting and controlling the passage of air through said tubing, said crooks being mechanically and communicatively attached to the tubing by way of four rotary valves, valve number I normally open and provided with an actuating thumb lever, valves number 2, 3 and 4 all normally closed and provided with customary controlling ringer levers, and an effective length regulating and pitch compensating auxiliary valve incorporated in the crook of the valve number 3, said auxiliary valve being normally open, and a single push-pull link directly and pivotally connecting the auxiliary valve with the number I valve for operation in conjunction with one another, whereby when said number I valve and auxiliary valve are in use, they both open at one and the same time and are both closed at one and the same time.

3. In a French horn of the class described, tubing standard in length, cross-section and customarily fashioned and provided at; its regular 6. air intake `end with va conventional moutl'ipiec,4 said tubing having at its opposite discharge end aregulation tone-wave discharge bell, the intermediate; portion'fof the tubing being fashioned intov customarycoiled form and said rtubing being provided lwithinfth'e bounds of said coiled portionwith-'a regulationk assemblage of individually valved slide-equippedfcrooks, there being in said valve-'assemblage the usual group of four selectivelylusableevalvesfor controlling the passage of* air through'lthe tubing and selected crooks, three of said valves being normally closed by spring means and provided with usual -nger levers for opening purposes, the remainingvalve,

the usual number I valve, being held normally open by spring means and provided with a thumb` lever; and an extra valve included in one of said crooks and employed as a compensating valve, said Vextra valve, in conjunction with said number I valve, making it possible to effectively shorten the tubing from the mouth-pieceto the bell, whereby to course the air directly through the tubing along the shortest route possible and to thus raise the pitch of the horn two tones and to, as a result thereof, stabilize high tones fromk G above the staff to high C.

4.1 The structure specied in claim 3, together with a single rigid linkv positively and pivotally connecting said extra valvev with said number I valve.

5. In a French horn of the class described,

a length of tubing of conventional proportions having a regulation mouth-piece at the air intake end, a bell at the tone-emitting end, the intermediate portion of said tubing embodying" the usual coil and further including four lateral slide-equipped crooks, the branches of the crooks being connectedv for communication with the adjacent portion of said tubing, an individual handoperated spring-return valve for each crook, said valves being identiiied and distinguished as valves I, 2, 3 and 4, and an extra valve embodied in the crook in which valve 3 is incorporated, a link connection between said extra valve and the number I valve, said number I valve and extra valve being operable in unison and being normally open, said extra valve and number I valve, when pressed by hand, both closing, valves 2, 3, and 4 being held normally closed, and the number I valve being spring held normally open.

6. A French horn of the class shown and described comprising tubing of standard length, cross section and shape and provided at its regular air-intake end with a conventional mouthpiece and at its opposite end with a regulation tone Wave discharge belly the intermediate portion of said tubing being fashioned into customary coiled form and the said tubing being provided with the confines of said coiled portion with a rectilinearly straight portion, a. slideequipped crook attached to said straight portion, a number I valve built into said crook at its junctural communicative point with the tubing, three additional slide-equipped crooks also connected with said rectilinearly straight portion and angularly thereto, a rotary valve mounted in each of said three crooks and providing valved communication between the branches of said crooks and said main tubing, said three valves being identified as numbers 2, 3 and 4, the latter three valves being provided With nger pieces and having spring means whereby they are all normally held in closed positions, said number I valve having a thumb piece, spring means connected with said thumb piece and serving to hold aie-1,40@

7 said number I valve in normally open position permitting unhampered passage of air through the intake end and said first-named crook and into the rectilinearly straight portion of the tubing, an extra valve mounted in the intermediate portions of the branches of the crook in which the number 3 valve is incorporated, said extra valve being normally in open positiony and a link connecting the eXtra valve with said number I valve, the spring means on the latter serving to actuate the number I valve and extra valve simultaneously to open positions.

7. In a French horn of the class described, tubing standard in length, cross-section and customarily fashioned and provided at its regular air intake end with a conventional mouth-piece, said tubing having at its opposite discharge end a regulation tone-wave discharge bell, the intermediate portion of the tubing being fashioned into customary coiled form and said tubing being provided within the bounds of said coiled portion with a regulation arrangement of individually Valved crooks, there being in said valve arrangement the usual group of four selectively usable valves for controlling the passage of air through the tubing and crooks; and a fth valve included in said valve arrangement and employed as an auxiliary valve, said fth valve, in conjunction with one of the iirst-named valves, making it possible to temporarily shorten the tubing from the mouth-piece to the bell, whereby to course the air directly through the shortest route possible and to thus raise the pitch two tones and to, as a result thereof, stabilize high tones, said fth valve being situated within the connes of one of the crooks, and a link positively and operatively connecting said fth valve with the first Valve of said group arrangement.

8.l The structure specified in claim 3, said fifth valve being connected for operation in unison with the iirst valve of the group of four valves, this by way of a pivotally connected, rigid pushpull link.

9. In a French horn of the class described, a length of tubing of conventional proportions having a regulation mouth-piece at the air intake end, and having a bell at the tone discharge end, the intermediate portion of said tubing embodying the usual coil and further including a plurality of lateral slide equipped crooks, the branches of the crooks being connected for communication with the adjacent portion of said tubing, there being four such crooks, and an individual hand-operated valve for each crook, said valves being identied and distinguished as valves I, 2, 3 and 4, and a Iifth valve embodied in the crook in which valve 3 is incorporated, a link connection between said fth valve and the valve I, said I valve and lifth valve being operable in unison and being normally open, and said valves 2, 3 and 4 being normally closed.

CLAUDE F. HUBLEY.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the le of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 935,626 Lockhart Sept. 28, 1909 1,100,199 Rossi June 16, 1914 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 18,699 Great Britain 1908 368,379 Germany 1923 

